World bank fortifies Mali’s inclusive health system for enhanced resilience

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2024 – The World Bank has authorized a substantial 100 million dollar credit from the International Development Association (IDA)*. This funding is dedicated to supporting Mali’s efforts to enhance the availability and utilization of vital reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and nutrition services. Furthermore, the initiative aims to bolster preparedness for health emergencies within specific target regions.

Leveraging a Results-Based Financing (RBF) methodology, the project, titled Promoting an Inclusive Health System’s Resilience for All in Mali, Keneya Yiriwali (a Bambara phrase), seeks to elevate the overall quality of critical health services. This particularly focuses on reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) by expanding coverage areas and reinforcing higher tiers of the health pyramid. The project will allocate funds for essential resources and performance-linked payments in designated regions and educational institutions, contingent on resource availability. This approach is designed to improve service delivery effectiveness and accessibility. The expanded scope includes areas and communities susceptible to climate impacts, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a distinct emphasis on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Ultimately, the initiative aims to optimize the efficiency of health sector expenditures through enhanced budgetary management, the integration of health financing mechanisms, and the development of information systems that effectively link financial allocations with performance outcomes.

“The expansion of Results-Based Financing, which now incorporates both energy-related climate risks and emergency risk management, is a key driver for improving the provision of quality healthcare services to the population under the Keneya Yiriwali project. It builds upon the successes of the Project to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU), which significantly boosted healthcare utilization, quality scores, medicine availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions,” articulated Clara de Sousa, the World Bank’s Operations Director for Mali. “RBF has proven to be a transformative instrument, strengthening the capacities of health facilities and fostering local recruitment, infrastructure development, and laboratory equipment upgrades throughout Mali.”

The total value of this IDA operation amounts to 125 million dollars, comprising the 100 million dollar IDA credit and an additional 25 million dollar grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). Of this GFF grant, 15 million dollars are contributed by the government of the Netherlands through a co-financing arrangement with the GFF. This collaborative partnership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the RBF approach from 2020 to 2024 via the PACSU project in Mali.

“Building on previous support, the GFF grant and co-financing with the Netherlands government will ensure strong alignment in Mali to enhance health services for women, children, and adolescents,” stated Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system can help guarantee that the needs of the most hard-to-reach and climate-vulnerable communities are met.”

Keneya Yiriwali is set to primarily benefit women, adolescents, and children, encompassing a total population of 15.4 million inhabitants, including 3 million children under the age of five and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. Its geographical reach will extend beyond the regions initially covered by PACSU—namely Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Segou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara—to new areas such as Tombouctou, Bougouni, Koutiala, and Sikasso, which report the highest poverty rates, as well as Commune VI within the Bamako district.

*The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank institution dedicated to assisting the world’s poorest nations. Established in 1960, it provides grants and low-interest or zero-interest loans to fund projects and programs aimed at stimulating economic growth, alleviating poverty, and improving the lives of the most disadvantaged. IDA stands as a leading financier for 76 of the globe’s poorest countries, with 39 located in Africa. IDA’s resources bring about positive change for 1.6 billion people. Since its inception, IDA has supported development activities in 113 countries. Its annual commitments have averaged 21 billion dollars over the past three years, with approximately 61% allocated to Africa.